Smoking Cessation in Malaysia
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GC004-14HTM
Abstract
Smoking is a public health problem worldwide. Malaysia is equally not immune with 27,000 deaths annually as a result of this addiction. In response, Malaysia has ratified the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control in 2005 enabling a series of tobacco control activities to reduce smoking prevalence. These measures, however, are slow to adopt and do not focus on cessation activities. Therefore, the aim of our project was to upscale smoking cessation activities to increase smoking rates through a four-programme approach - education, innovation, treatment methods and advocacy. A five-year project using multiple methodologies was conducted in Malaysia among smokers and non-smokers alike. To date, a national training module has been developed and evaluated. Results have been promising, with those trained increasing their rates of asking and those with skills more empowered to assist smokers to quit. A new treatment program through group- based therapy has been developed for Malaysians, increasing options to quit smoking.
Stakeholders
- Three (3) International Collaborators
- University of Auckland, New Zealand University of Minnesota, USA University of Waterloo, Canada
- Seven (7) Stakeholders Collaborations
- Johnson & Johnson
- Ministry of Health
- Taraf Synergy Sdn. Bhd
- World Health Organization Collaboration Centre (Hong Kong)
- Asia Pacific Quitline Network (APQN)
- Asia Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT)
- National Institute of Health Research, Taiwan